Ferroelectric Domain Structure of Tri-Glycine Sulfate Observed Using a Scanning Electron Microscope

Abstract

Domain structures in the (010) plane are investigated in the secondary electron mode of S.E.M. The long axis of typical lenticular domains in crystals as grown is along the direction nearly perpendicular to the crystallographic c-axis. Fine lamellar structures appearing in annealed crystals are also along the same direction. The electron beam scanning causes a polarization reversal, and makes possible the direct observation of the dynamical behavior of the domain. The domain boundary has a fairly strong tendency to be perpendicular to the c-axis. The pointed end of the lenticular domain is the position where the domain boundary is caught.